James Henry Dickey Henderson
Encyclopedia
James Henry Dickey Henderson (July 23, 1810 – December 13, 1885) was an American farmer and politician from the state of Oregon
. A native of Kentucky
, he lived in Missouri
and Pennsylvania
before moving to the Oregon Territory
in 1852. He worked as a publisher, pastor, and farmer before entering politics as a Republican, and served one term in the United States House of Representatives
representing Oregon.
, Henderson moved to Missouri Territory
in 1817 where he attended the public schools. He entered
the ministry and was pastor of a church in Washington County, Pennsylvania
from 1843 to 1851. In 1851, he returned to Missouri and published a literary magazine.
. He, his wife, and five children endured an arduous six-month journey on the Oregon Trail
and arrived in Portland, Oregon
, on October 12, 1852. The family established a homestead claim in Yamhill County
, where they lived for four years before resettling in Eugene
and establishing fruit orchards. Prior to moving to Eugene, he served on the committee that helped to establish Columbia College
opened in 1856 in Eugene.
schools, and then was nominated by the Republican
as its candidate to represent Oregon in the United States House of Representatives
. Henderson went on to defeat Democrat
Colonel James K. Kelly
in the general election. In Congress, Henderson served on the committees on the Pacific Railroad,
Mines and Mining
, Indian Affairs, and the special committee on the death of President Lincoln
.
Henderson was not renominated by his party in 1866, and returned to his agricultural pursuits in Eugene. He also continued to preach, lecture, and write. He died in Eugene on December 13, 1885 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery
.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, he lived in Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
and Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
before moving to the Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
in 1852. He worked as a publisher, pastor, and farmer before entering politics as a Republican, and served one term in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
representing Oregon.
Early life
Born near Salem, KentuckySalem, Kentucky
Salem is a city in Livingston County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 769 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, Henderson moved to Missouri Territory
Missouri Territory
The Territory of Missouri was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 4, 1812 until August 10, 1821, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Missouri.-History:...
in 1817 where he attended the public schools. He entered
the ministry and was pastor of a church in Washington County, Pennsylvania
Washington County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482...
from 1843 to 1851. In 1851, he returned to Missouri and published a literary magazine.
The Oregon Trail
A strong abolitionist, Henderson decided to leave Missouri, where slavery was allowed, and move to Oregon TerritoryOregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
. He, his wife, and five children endured an arduous six-month journey on the Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
and arrived in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, on October 12, 1852. The family established a homestead claim in Yamhill County
Yamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
, where they lived for four years before resettling in Eugene
Eugene, Oregon
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the south end of the Willamette Valley, at the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about east of the Oregon Coast.As of the 2010 U.S...
and establishing fruit orchards. Prior to moving to Eugene, he served on the committee that helped to establish Columbia College
Columbia College (Oregon)
Columbia College was a college in Eugene in the U.S. state of Oregon. Founded in 1856, the school was part of a system of churches established by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The school's building burned down twice before the school closed in 1860...
opened in 1856 in Eugene.
Political career
In 1858, Henderson was elected superintendent of Lane CountyLane County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge *Siuslaw National Forest *Umpqua National Forest *Willamette National Forest -Government:...
schools, and then was nominated by the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
as its candidate to represent Oregon in the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
. Henderson went on to defeat Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Colonel James K. Kelly
James K. Kelly
James Kerr Kelly was an American politician born in Pennsylvania. He was a United States Senator for Oregon from 1871 to 1877, and later Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court...
in the general election. In Congress, Henderson served on the committees on the Pacific Railroad,
Mines and Mining
United States House Committee on Mines and Mining
The United States House Committee on Mines and Mining is a defunct a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.The Committee on Mines and Mining was created on December 19, 1865, for consideration of subjects relating to mining interests...
, Indian Affairs, and the special committee on the death of President Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln assassination
The assassination of United States President Abraham Lincoln took place on Good Friday, April 14, 1865, as the American Civil War was drawing to a close. The assassination occurred five days after the commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E. Lee, and his battered Army of...
.
Henderson was not renominated by his party in 1866, and returned to his agricultural pursuits in Eugene. He also continued to preach, lecture, and write. He died in Eugene on December 13, 1885 and was interred in Odd Fellows Cemetery
Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
Eugene Pioneer Cemetery is a pioneer cemetery in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It is one of the three oldest cemeteries in Eugene...
.